Ok I did everything I was supposed to do to prepare the 10 bales of straw I have. I have 2 rows with 5 bales in each. I soaked them and put the ammonium nitrate like directed and then put the 10-10-10 (1 cup per bale) on. I planted tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, peppers, eggplant, squash and zucchini on Saturday, 4/10. I have watered them very well and yesterday evening and today they almost all are laying over looking like they are dying or are already dead. The tomatoes are just a little wilted, but the cucumbers, squash and zucchini look horrible. What do I do? I spent a lot of money. Are they in shock or did I make a grave mistake? Please help someone! I was so excited to try this.
Problems in my first hay bale gardening adventure
I'm fairly new at this too, but I will make a few guesses. First, did your bales go through a heat? Although mine went through a heat (I had them out for a good 3 weeks before I planted) some had a bit of heat when I went to plant. I only planted my tomatoes that day. Over the next two days two of my plants wilted. I think that bale may have still been cooking a bit. I watered heavily and that seemed to revive those two. The others seem to be doing just fine. If you added fertilizer right before you planted, you may have made your bales heat up and that is why the plants wilted... I would try watering a lot and see if you can cool the bales down and save the plants. Good luck!
Thanks nini! I will try that. Good luck to you also. This could actually be a great thing since my husband wont let me tear up his precious grass! (lol)
blackthumb, yes they can very warm down inside if they are not finished "cooking" Got access to a thermometer with a long probe? Mine reached 120-130 degrees the first year I tried it and lost a few plants myself. Don't give up!
Doug
My first thought was "too much fertilizer", but that's JUST a thought. I've never fertilized until after the plants are well established, but I don't know if that's "right" or not :). I just use fush emulsion, but then I try to avoid anything non-organic. How long were your bales "cooking"? I (like others have said) wonder if it was too quick. I did that once, and have learned from that *G*. This year I started my bales in January, I think, and used just bloodmeal and water. They seem to be just where I want them, but time will tell.....
The high nitrogen fertilizer (you use ammonium nitrate?) you apply for 1 week, every couple of days, to get the bales 'cooking' - if you don't have a bale thermoeter, you can often feel the heat by just sticking your finger down into the bales. Then you should just soak them (water and or compost tea) for another week of 2 until they STOP 'cooking' and go back to a stable temperature.
In the title of this section, you say it's hay bales you're using, but in your post you said straw, so I'm not sure which you're actually using. The hay requires a lot less fertilizing than the straw does, but either would need a cooling down period before planting. Also, don't forget to water the bales with Epsom salts dissolved in your water before planting tomatoes. It helps to make stronger, more productive tomato plants.
Namaste- Suz
Wow, I don't remember reading about watering with Epsom salt before planting! How much do you use?
Jnette told me on another thread about 1/4 cup or so a plant.... I forgot to do it before I planted them so I will be adding it as a top dressing.
that will be good nini. ES very important.
I think all of the above are right. WATER WATER WATER.